NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Cleansing
Chapter 82: Cleansing
The Guardians of the Daimyō, the elite protectors, were considered the highest military power within the Daimyō's castle.
Yet, even they could not stop that man. The rest of the garrison, armed with spears, didn't dare step forward.
They might as well have been forming an honor guard.
The attendants opened the grand doors. Enshi Munefusa, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, fanned himself in an attempt to mask his unease.
"Uchiha Kagami-sama, I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome," Munefusa greeted, his voice trembling slightly.
Kagami's sharp eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air.
The scent of the dead.
He nodded slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Daimyō-dono. I have an announcement to make. Please summon your sons and ministers."
Munefusa's face darkened. This man… does he intend to depose me simply because I didn't respond to his letters?
Recalling Tobirama's earlier warning, Munefusa sighed in resignation.
"Understood. Someone, bring a seat for Uchiha-sama."
---
The two sat across from each other, awaiting the arrival of the ministers and the Daimyō's heirs.
Unable to bear the oppressive silence, Munefusa broke the ice.
"Kagami-dono… what is it that you wish to achieve here?"
Taking a sip of tea, Kagami replied nonchalantly, "You're disobedient. I plan to replace you with someone who will listen."
His casual tone made it sound as though he were discussing changing a leash on a pet.
Munefusa clenched his fists, barely containing his anger. "Kagami-dono, replacing a Daimyō is an extraordinarily complex matter…"
"Given Konoha's current state, I am willing to fully support your reconstruction efforts—"
"Silence," Kagami interrupted, his gaze piercing.
"Did Tobirama teach you that line?"
!!
Munefusa's face paled, his hand trembling as his fan clattered to the floor.
"T-Tobirama-sama has been gone for years… Surely you jest, Kagami-dono…"
Kagami ignored him, his attention shifting to the doorway as the Daimyō's sons filed in.
The eldest appeared to be in his thirties, the youngest just a teenager. Some wore expressions of suppressed excitement, as though they understood what was about to happen.
---
As time passed, the ministers governing Heijōkyō arrived.
The Grand Minister, the Ministers of the Left and Right, and others—most inherited their positions through family lines.
The political structure of the shinobi world mirrored its social stagnation. The Daimyō's son became the Daimyō, the Hokage's son became the Hokage, and the scapegoat's son became the next scapegoat.
Entrenched traditions, difficult to dismantle.
---
"Heh, Uchiha Kagami," Sukuna's voice echoed within his mind.
"You must find this all so tiresome. These worthless fools dare to think themselves above you."
"You could slaughter their guards and be worshipped as a god. Isn't that how monarchies like this operate?"
Kagami remained silent, paying no attention to Sukuna's musings.
---
"The ministers of Heijōkyō are all present," Munefusa finally announced, his tone curt.
Munefusa no longer feigned courtesy. He knew his position was about to be stripped. But that didn't matter. With his sons in line, he could wield power from the shadows once Kagami was gone.
The ministers, visibly nervous, sat in a circle. The Daimyō sat in the center, with his sons whispering among themselves.
Kagami scanned the room, his expression unreadable.
"You all understand the situation, so I'll spare you introductions," he began.
"Konoha, as the protector of the Land of Fire, has suffered greatly. Despite the Third Great Ninja War, funds for the village have been withheld. This is unacceptable."
The Minister of Finance, already briefed on the situation, reluctantly stood. His voice trembled as he spoke.
"Kagami-sama, earlier this year, we allocated nine billion ryō to Konoha. An additional three billion in supplies followed. We have nothing left to give…"
"However," he added hastily, "since you've come personally, we'll do what we can. Even if it means tightening our belts, we'll provide five billion ryō to aid reconstruction."
Kagami listened silently, showing no reaction.
Then—
"Frankly, this is an internal Konoha matter," said a square-faced man standing abruptly. His imposing figure and stern demeanor marked him as the Minister of War, responsible for the Land of Fire's militia.
"It's unreasonable to expect us to fund your civil war."
The room fell deathly silent.
All eyes turned to Kagami, awaiting his response.
---
"You have guts. I respect that," Kagami said softly, drumming his fingers on the table.
Swish!
In an instant, Uchiha Genka and Uchiha Unzen materialized at his side, their Sharingan glowing ominously.
Before anyone could process what had happened, Genka's blade flashed.
Thud.
The Minister of War's severed head hit the floor, rolling to a stop.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Kagami stood, his tone eerily calm.
"But I don't need fools like you."
He gestured toward the Minister of Finance. "You'll take his place as Daimyō. Ensure the accounts are accurate. All funds flow to Konoha."
"M-Me?"
The scrawny, goat-bearded minister stammered, pointing at himself in disbelief.
Munefusa slammed the table, his composure snapping.
"Kagami! This is outrageous!" he roared.
"The Daimyō is descended from the gods, a divine lineage spanning millennia!"
"How dare you defy the will of the heavens! Do you not fear the wrath of the entire shinobi world?!"
---
Kagami didn't even spare him a glance.
"Divine lineage?" he sneered.
"True divine bloodlines wield powers passed through generations. Yours is just a fairy tale."
With that, Kagami raised a hand.
Uchiha Genka stepped forward, followed by a dozen other Uchiha, blades drawn.
"You know what to do, Genka."
"Yes, Kagami-sama," Genka replied, his voice steady.
---
Kagami walked out of the castle, indifferent to the cries and screams behind him.
To him, the Daimyō was nothing more than a ceremonial figurehead, easily replaceable. Any commoner could sit on that throne—and likely perform better.
---
As he strolled through the streets, night began to fall. Lanterns illuminated the bustling crowds.
The courtesan from earlier spotted him and lit up with recognition.
"Young man! You've finished your business?" she called out.
"Care to join me for a drink?"
Kagami reached into his sleeve, pulling out a few silver ryō. Taking her hand, he placed the coins in her palm.
His warm smile left her momentarily speechless.
"You're very beautiful, but I'm not old enough to drink yet," he said gently.
"Maybe next time. Goodbye."
By the time she regained her composure, the young man was already gone.
---
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